Vandals target bike repair station at Mary JL Black Library

By tbnewswatch.com

THUNDER BAY -- The bike repair station at the Mary JL Black Library has been vandalized after only being in operation for just over a month.

Installed at the end of April, the bike repair station was erected to help promote cycling across the city. The station came equipped with an air pump and some basic tools so cyclists could make quick fixes to their bikes on the fly.

But active transportation co-ordinator Adam Krupper on Wednesday confirmed that the station at the Library was recently targeted by vandals who broke the air pump and removed some of the tools.

“We weren’t sure how durable things would be or how theftproof they would be,” Krupper said during an interview with CKPR Radio. “So not only is the manufacturer learning what works and what doesn’t, but we’re also learning.”

Krupper hopes to have the tools replaced by the end of this week, but says the air pump will be out of commission while they wait for parts.

Krupper added that there haven't been any issues at a similar air pump near Eco-Superior that's part of a bus shelter.